Striped maple
Acer pensylvanicum · Sapindaceae
📷 Jason Hollinger · CC BY 2.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around striped maple and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Striped Maple, Pennsylvanian Maple
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May, pendulous yellowish-green clusters
- Mature size
- 6 m high × 4-5 m wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3-4 (-35 to -25°C)
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Soil type
- Rich, well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Acer pensylvanicum hates summer drought despite its hardiness: maintain soil moisture in depth without waterlogging. Generous mulch would help especially in the first two years after planting.
The common mistake
Planting in too windy a location or with direct afternoon sun dries out leaves prematurely (marginal browning) and reduces fall color.
The pro's trick
Wait 3-4 years before pruning: only then will you see its main feature, the white-green striped bark.
Care
Light and Exposure
Striped maple prefers semi-shaded to partially sunny exposure. In warm regions, protect it from intense afternoon sun. A location with morning rays and light afternoon shade promotes beautiful development and brilliant fall coloration.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing season and the first years after planting. Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant. Avoid standing water that could cause root rot.
Soil and Planting
Plant in rich, well-structured and well-draining soil. Adding organic matter (compost, potting soil) at planting time is beneficial. This maple tolerates slightly acidic to neutral soils but dislikes compaction.
Fertilizer
A balanced fertilizer application in spring is generally sufficient. Limit nitrogen-rich fertilizers that would promote excessive growth at the expense of structure. A regular mulch layer naturally provides necessary minerals.
Pruning and Structure
Remove dead or poorly oriented branches in late winter. Cut off any shoots emerging from the base. Light pruning promotes a balanced shape. Avoid severe pruning that weakens the tree.
Health and Pests
Striped maple is generally robust. Watch for mealybugs and aphids in spring. Good drainage reduces the risk of fungal disease. Aerate the center of the crown to improve air circulation.
Did you know?
Striped maple takes its name from the whitish streaks that mark its green bark, forming a pattern resembling bars—these characteristic stripes persist even in winter and are particularly visible on young trees. This feature makes it a major ornamental asset, especially in bare winter landscapes. It's one of the rare North American maples to display this discreet yet elegant adaptation.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Japanese mapleAcer palmatum
- Sycamore mapleAcer pseudoplatanus
- Norway mapleAcer platanoides
- Field mapleAcer campestre
- Marronnier dindeAesculus hippocastanum
- Box elderAcer negundo
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.